The rebuilding of Hogwarts began on Monday morning and on Friday morning a ceremony was held in the Great Hall.
"I don't understand why I must attend an award ceremony for Potter," said Severus sourly. His voice was still hoarse, but steadily getting stronger. He hobbled slowly through the broken halls of Hogwarts with crutches under his arms. His right leg still dragged and was difficult to control. He was wearing a very expensive set of hunter-green dress robes that Lindsay had bought for him. He thought the expense was impractical, but wore them to please her. Minerva McGonagall, now Headmistress, was at his side. She wore a stunning set of deep-red dress robes tastefully accented with gold embroidery. Their finery was a stark and depressing contrast to the school's charred and devastated appearance. The Weasley twins had called Lindsay away on some urgent business, and she agreed to meet Severus in the Great Hall.
"Because you missed the first one," said Minerva sternly.
He stopped to catch his breath just before reaching the battered doors of the Great Hall. Minerva fussed, wiping the sweat from his brow, and straightened his collar and jacket. "Ready?" she asked. He nodded, and as he made it to the Great Hall's doors, they swung open to reveal a large crowd of people. Many of whom were standing, filling up the perimeter of the room. Everyone turned toward the open doors and began clapping. Severus turned to look for Potter, thinking he was behind him. When he saw Minerva smiling at him, he realized that it was him they were clapping for. He tried to move away, but Minerva caught his arm. "Severus Snape, don't you dare embarrass me!"
"They'll think I'm a cripple," he rasped.
"Nonsense! They think you're a hero, and they're right. Now you get up there."
He started up the center of the Great Hall with Minerva still at his side, ready to take hold of him should he stumble. He looked to the many smiling faces, searching for students he knew. There were so few of them. Many were maimed or disfigured. The rest of the crowd were members of the students' families, well-wishers, and curious onlookers.
It seemed like it took an eternity for Severus to reach the High Table. His face had gone ashen, and he was sweating from exertion. He felt humiliated by his infirmity. Kingsley Shacklebolt was standing at the podium, waiting patiently for Severus to reach his seat. Minerva motioned for Hagrid to help Severus up the steps. Hagrid picked him up and plunked him down on the seat next to him. Minerva took the seat on Severus' other side. Severus scanned the room looking for Lindsay and saw her standing close to the High Table, leaning against the wall, with the Weasley twins and other assorted members of the vast Weasley clan standing next to her.
Shacklebolt raised his hands and the room became silent. "We were all here just a few weeks ago to celebrate our victory and to honor our heroes. While we were celebrating, one of those heroes was silently battling for his life. He wasn't among our number then, but he's here today. He beat the odds and survived the severe injuries he sustained at Voldemort's hand." Many in the crowd winced at the sound of Voldemort's name being uttered. "Today's honoree has recovered enough to join us for our tribute to him and can personally witness our show of gratitude for the sacrifices he made for our cause. For outstanding bravery and unwavering loyalty in the face of tremendous opposition and hardship, I am proud to award Severus Snape with the Order of Merlin, First Class. Here to present this prestigious award is our own Mr. Harry Potter."
Once again, the room erupted in applause. Severus stood, leaving his crutches untouched, with the help of Hagrid, who was so excited that he nearly threw him on his face. Harry presented the medal to Severus and shook his hand. "I can't think of anyone who deserves this more than you do, sir." Shacklebolt shook Severus' hand and asked him if he had anything to say. Severus shook his head and pointed to his neck, then resumed his seat. "He can't really talk yet, but I'd be happy to speak in his place," said Harry. Shacklebolt waved him over to the podium, and Severus' face went even paler as Harry neared it.
"Professor Snape is currently unable to speak due to the severe injuries that he sustained in the altercation with Voldemort. He has graciously agreed to allow me to speak in his stead. First, it must be said that this war could not have been won without Professor Snape's help. He was a spy in Voldemort's camp and the information he provided was critical to our eventual success. He played his role so well that many of us here today were convinced that he was loyal to Voldemort. I am certainly guilty of that belief." Harry turned to look at Snape. "Sir, please accept our collective apology for having thought the worst of you."
Harry turned back to face the audience. "Secondly, I feel honor-bound to tell all of you that our seemingly ordinary professor had the courage and audacity to stand in Voldemort's presence, look him in the eyes, and lie to the greatest Legilimens the wizarding world has ever seen." The room erupted in shouting and applause. Harry waited for the noise to die down before continuing. Once again he turned his attention to Snape. "Sir, we are blessed to have you among us, and we hope that you would accept our sincere gratitude for the extraordinary sacrifices that you have made."
Severus was so embarrassed that he wished the floor would swallow him up. He strongly considered diving under the High Table that stood behind him, but was certain that Hagrid would catch him before he made it. He sat stiff-backed and rigid, his cheeks were flame red, and his hands gripped his knees. Every eye in the room bored into him, undoubtedly mocking in his frailty. Minerva smiled and gently patted his hand.
Facing the audience again, Harry continued his speech. "We are all here together in this Great Hall where we have enjoyed friendship, camaraderie, and even rivalry. There are many—so many—who made the greatest possible sacrifice so that we could be here today. They can't be with us, but perhaps if we cheer loudly enough, they'll hear us and they'll know that the Great Hall is ours once again. Hogwarts is ours again. We shall rebuild her. Our children and our children's children will walk through her resurrected halls, and she will forever stand as a symbol of honor, integrity, and valor. In the words of my mentor and Hogwarts' most revered headmaster, the great Albus Dumbledore; let the feast begin!"
If it were possible for sound to travel to Heaven, then Heaven was surely rocked to its very foundation. People were screaming and cheering and crying; many had taken to their feet. Some, led by Fred and George Weasley, were standing atop the tables, shouting, whistling, and applauding.
Harry removed his glasses and wiped his eyes. He embraced Minerva and Hagrid, but knew better than to try such intimacy with Snape. To him, Harry gave a short polite bow and stepped down to find Ginny's waiting arms.
Severus had never shaken so many hands in his life. People lined up to get near him. He'd once thought that fame was the pinnacle of success. Now he just wanted to go home and take a nap, and let world continue on without him. He waved Lin over. "I need to get out of here."
"Just let me tell Minerva we're leaving. I'll meet you outside the doors."
Severus moved slowly through the crowd. People we're clapping his shoulders and complimenting him as he passed. He nodded, but didn't stop until he saw Pomona Sprout with one of her students, Paulinus Tate. He was a handsome boy, intelligent, and generally inoffensive. Severus couldn't stand him. Tate was forever seeking approval from his teachers, and all of them readily applauded the boy's hard work, except for Severus. Now, as Severus looked at the boy's twisted ruined body, he felt nothing but compassion for him. An approximate one-third of the boy's face was identifiable; the rest was misshapen beyond recognition.
Tate had been hit with the Twister Curse; its effects continuously warped the victim's body until it caused death. It was an agonizing demise. The only reason Tate was still alive was because the curse's caster was dead, which dramatically slowed the spell's effect. This curse always left traces so Tate's body would continue to deform. The boy was lucky if he had three months left to live.
"Here he is," said Pomona to Tate as she guided the shambling limping boy to Severus' side. Her tone was cheerful, but her face showed all the worry and sadness she felt. Tate was nearly blind and couldn't see her expression. "Paulinus wanted to talk to you, Severus." Tate reached out and felt for Severus' hand. "Professor Snape is on crutches, sweetheart."
"Oh, sorry, sir." He was difficult to understand because of his injuries. He drooled uncontrollably and Pomona kept dabbing his mouth with a hankie. Tate's hands traveled to Severus' shoulder. The boy gripped and patted Severus almost as if he was making sure that Severus was really there. "I won't keep you, sir. I just wanted to congratulate you on your medal."
"Thank you, Tate."
"Sorry?"
"Professor Snape said thank you." Tate nodded.
The boy was incapable of smiling, so Severus had no idea if he was pleased or not. Pomona looked expectantly at him, but he didn't know what to say. Dumbledore would've told the boy what he needed to hear, so that's what Severus did. He leaned in to get close to Tate's ear and said, "I'm very proud you, Paulinus. You fought bravely."
Tate gripped Severus' shoulder more tightly. He was clearly excited. "Thank you, sir. Thank you so much. Professor Sprout, did you hear?"
"I did hear. I told you he'd be proud. We're all proud of you." She mouthed 'thank you' to Severus and steered Tate back to his seat. He continued to babble on about what Severus had said to him.
Severus couldn't wait to get out of the Great Hall. He nodded to a few people, but didn't stop for anyone else. Lin was waiting for him when he reached the doors.
"I saw that poor boy you were talking to."
"You can't help him, Lin." Severus continued to walk away and Lin followed.
"Are you sure? Maybe I could just—"
Severus stopped. "That boy was hit with a very powerful curse, one that leaves traces behind. You're not strong enough to dispel the residue or reverse the curse's effects."
"Maybe when I'm stronger—"
"He won't live that long." Severus resumed walking. They were returning to the Headmistress' office to floo home.
"What spell was he hit with, Severus?"
"It's called with the Twister Curse. It didn't get its name from the damage it causes, but for its strong tendency to turn on its caster. It's a dangerous unpredictable spell, even the Dark Lord refused to cast it. The only person I know that was both powerful and crazy enough to use it was Bellatrix LeStrange. Needless to say, it's a rare spell. Most people don't know of it."
"Isn't there anything that can be done for him?"
Severus stopped again. "Only easing his pain; the healers at St. Mungo's are more than fit for the task. Come along, Lin. I'm tired."
